The Colorado Rockies (47-82; 18-49 away) will play their final game of the series against the New York Yankees (76-53; 35-28 home) on Sunday afternoon at 1:35 p.m. EST. This matchup will take place at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees kicked off the series with a solid 3-0 victory on Friday. What can fans expect as this series wraps up?
Rockies’ Struggles on the Road
The Rockies have faced significant challenges while playing away from their home field. They’ve lost eight out of their last nine road games, a trend that highlights their poor offensive performance during these contests. Colorado averages just 3.54 runs per game on the road, lower than the average of 28 other teams. Their batting line of .219/.277/.362 reflects their struggles, and they’ve now gone nine straight away games without scoring at least five runs.
The team’s base running stats are also concerning, ranking 24th in stolen bases, 25th in walk rate, and 29th in strikeout rate. They have hit 138 home runs, placing them 17th in the league. With Sunday’s game approaching, there’s a sense of urgency for this lineup to find its rhythm.
On the mound, Colorado’s pitching staff has an even worse ERA when playing away from Coors Field. They sit at the bottom of the league for this metric, and their relievers rank 29th in both FIP and WAR. Left-handed pitcher Austin Gomber will take the mound, aiming to replicate one of his strong outings from earlier this season, where he pitched 7.0 innings, allowing only three hits and one run. Gomber’s season stats reflect a 4.64 ERA, 4.93 FIP, and 1.280 WHIP. Can he guide his team to a much-needed win?
Key Injuries – Kris Bryant
Yankees Finding Their Form
After a tough stretch in June, July, and early August, the Yankees seem to be regaining their form. Their recent performance includes three consecutive multi-run victories, showcasing exceptional pitching with only one run allowed in these games.
Marcus Stroman is set to continue this trend. He has excelled in his last two outings, pitching a total of 11.0 innings while conceding just one run. However, he does carry a 5.24 ERA in the second half of the season and a 5.06 ERA at Yankee Stadium. The bullpen, ranked 10th in ERA, has been reliable, but closer Clay Holmes has led the league in blown saves. Will the pitching staff maintain their strong showing?
On the offensive side, Aaron Judge continues to perform at an elite level, complemented by Juan Soto, who would be a strong MVP candidate in most seasons. This duo contributes significantly to an offense that averages 5.09 runs per game, ranking second in the majors. The Yankees lead the league in walk rate and on-base percentage, and they are second in home runs and third in slugging percentage. Currently, Anthony Rizzo is the only starting position player on the injured list. While their 56 stolen bases rank 28th, the overall offensive output has been impressive.
Key Injuries – Anthony Rizzo
Best Bets for Colorado Rockies vs. New York Yankees
With Marcus Stroman’s recent form, where he hasn’t allowed multiple runs in his last two starts, the Rockies’ struggling offense is likely to face difficulties again. Colorado has consistently underperformed during road games, making it highly probable that New York’s pitchers will keep them quiet.
Given that the Yankees are among the top-scoring teams in the league, fans can expect them to score at least four runs in this matchup. While Gomber might limit the Yankees to one or two runs, the Rockies’ bullpen is unlikely to handle New York’s powerful lineup. A comfortable win for the Yankees seems to be on the horizon.
